Quirky and utterly brilliant ( )

If you like John Irving novels, you should enjoy this one. To paraphrase that old saying: Sane families are all alike but every crazy family is crazy in its own way. ( )

EXCELLENT! ( )

I understand this is Stoltz's first novel and he put everything into it, including the kitchen sink. There is crime, philosophy, disaster, love, politics, family, mystery, and death. The book focuses on the story of a father and son and the father's brother. Both brothers are misanthropes yet polar opposites of each other. Though set mostly in Australia, it takes an interesting detour to Thailand. It is over 500 pages but is not so much comical as it is entertaining. ( )

When an Australian debut novel gets snapped up for a reported six-figure sum by a prestigious UK publisher; is simultaneously translated and released in half a dozen other countries, and wins major awards, it’s hard to approach it without some preconceived ideas. You expect it to be really, really good – and it is, in parts. However, I struggled to finish A Fraction of the Whole – and ended up unsatisfied.
This is how it begins: After spending much of his childhood in a mysterious coma, Martin becomes an isolated teenager, the cerebral opposite of his athletic younger brother. When a stabbing puts an end to Terry’s prodigious sporting talents, he drifts into crime. Martin takes him to the nearby gaol to scare him out of his future, but his plan backfires when they meet a loquacious master criminal who takes Terry on as his understudy. Terry Dean graduates from petty crime to make a name for himself as the bane of drug cheats, bookies and match fixers across Australia, becoming a Ned Kelly-like anti-hero. Meanwhile, Martin’s attempts to bring meaning to his life and change to his town end in disaster.
The first half o the book takes the form of Martin's confession of his failures and hopes to his son, Jasper. In the best philosophical tradition, Martin teaches the boy to avoid the rule of the crowd. But. in doing, so he sows the seeds of his rejection: he is at the same time Jasper’s greatest influence and his worst enemy. When your children are young, you feel that no matter how loud you shout, or how brilliantly you manipulate them, they're not really listening. Then they grow up and you realise that they've been listening only too closely. You've been a massive influence on them. If only you'd realised it at the time, you'd have behaved better. But you didn't and now it's too late. And it is way too late for Jasper.
The garrulous absurdity that makes it exhilarating wears thin when asked to care for the characters who don't always achieve the solidity required to sustain a 700-page novel. There is no perspective, no sense of how seriously we are supposed to take it all. A Fraction of the Whole contains some awful dud patches, and some sparkling comic writing. It bounces with sarcastic aphorisms and invincible gags – many of which reveal themselves, a moment or two after reading, to be arrant nonsense. And it is full of bizarre and unacceptable twists – like Anouk morphing into a sexpot multi-millionare publishing tycoon. To me, the second half fails dismally to reach its potential. I wanted to like it more, but there’s only so much self-analysis I can take.
I suspect that the hype and the awards will mean that Toltz's book is destined to sit on many a student shelf, pored over and passed around by the impressionable young. It gives off the unmistakable whiff of a book that might just contain the secret of life. But, being so big, you'll have to work all the harder to find it.
Toltz has the flair and most of the gifts required to write a really good comic novel: A Fraction of the Whole shows that to excess. Perhaps his next book will make up the remaining fraction. ( )

Australia, Fiction

I loved the panache of this book and the rumbustious language that the author used throughout. I thought a discreet editing might have pruned 100 pages (of its 720 or so) without losing anything and maybe enhancing it. ( )

Words that came to mind while reading this book:
Absorbing, Depressing, Sarcastic, Dire, Angst, Rambling, Sad, Vulnerable, Plaintive, and ultimately an extremely enjoyable read.

I never found the story riotously funny, rollicking or hilarious, as reviews splashed across the cover indicate. However I did laugh out loud, many times, but most especially when reading Jasper's accounts. His voice was so clearly man-child. The solutions he thinks of for situations he encounters mimic how I see my own 16 year old son responding to life. (And that's not really a safe and happy thought!)

Steve Toltz's writing is fluid and consistent which made this sometimes sad, sometimes bizarre, often satirical story a gratifying read. Highly recommended. ( )

In previewing previous reviews of this fantastic first outing by Australias' Steve Totlz, and finding many people commenting negatively due simply to its sheer length of 500+ pages, I will suggest this:
Randomly flip to any page of this epic tale and you will find a laugh or two (or maybe 3 or 4) Totltz's commentaries on lifes little quirks and observations are slipped in by the dozens at random intertwined with a story that well, yes may very well be similar to a Palahniuk bad dream after the author ate two much lobster late at night. I, personally don't have a problem with this.
Other readers seem to be amazed at the fact that this is the authors first book. Again, I dont find that particularly incredible as Totltz seems to have put everything including the kitchen sink into this one. What I will find amazing is to see if this guy can ever come close to doing something as good again. I look forward to meeting him next month and drilling him on this prospect...... ( )

http://anzlitlovers.wordpress.com/200... ( )

Read 100 pages, got bored and stopped. Comparing this to Confederacy of Dunces is just wishful thinking on the publisher's part. Vonnegut? Please. This is nothing more than an amateur outing, like a creative writing assignment gone horribly wrong. I think the attraction of the book is that it portrays misfits, and everyone's into misfits these days. Not sure why. We all identify with those who don't fit in. I guess no one feels that they fit the mold, secretly. Hence the popularity of this and The Eloquence of the Hedgehog, every Pixar movie ever made, Oscar Wao, etc. It's not strange enough to qualify as black comedy or surrealism, nor real enough to be considered literature. It's not funny, and there aren't hidden gems of insight awaiting the reader. It's an unbelievable story about a father and son who seem interchangable, and whose motivations and feelings are not those of real people. There's nothing here to relate to, and no story worth following. I have no idea how this found a publisher, let along a bunch of positive reviews. Shows how little I understand the publishing industry, I guess. ( )

My views about Toltz's novel changed quite a bit as I read it. At times I thought it couldn't be bettered, such as when Jasper and his father discuss what sort of a house to build, but at other times I felt it was too fanciful and a bit directionless - but that's perhaps because of a first reading. His style is certainly vibrant and some of his phrases crystalise what I have felt but not verbalised - so I felt an affinity. His style reminds me of de Berniere's (especially with his unevenness) and Mitchell's.

I like quirky, humorous books. I reread 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' this year and still quite enjoyed it. Despite Kesey's simplistic views on women, he obviously had a serious central theme about how stultifying conformity is. This sort of central theme I felt was lacking in Toltz's novel. He broaches many serious issues but repeatedly wondering if he is the reincarnation of his father reduced my interest in the novel. So, I guess there are at least two sorts of humorous novels - and ones with inconsequential humour for its own sake don't appeal to me as much. Still, I probably need to revisit this book. ( )

This years Man Booker Prize will be awarded tomorrow evening. One of the finalists (shortlisted) books is by first time Australian novelist Steve Toltz. Toltz' novel, A Fraction of the Whole is maybe to big, but it's a rollicking, funny book, full of ideas.

Toltz tells the story of the Dean family: Two bothers (Terry and Martin) and Jasper, Martin's son. Terry is one of the most notorious criminals of Australia - a mythical folk-hero, revered by the people. His younger brother Martin grows up in the vacuum left by Terry's legendary exploits. Martin's quest to get out from under the larger than life shadow cast by his brother has a profound impact on his life. An impact which percolates down to his son as well. Largely, the novel is concerned with the ways in which we attempt to define ourselves, the ways in which we are shaped by our parents and family. Its a quest to find out who we are.

The central character (if there can really be said to be one) is Jasper Dean. Jasper first learns of his infamous Uncle's story as related by his father Martin, Terry's brother. Next Jasper finds an old journal of his father's which fills in Martin's story, including his mothers suicide. The middle chapters of the novel consist of Jasper's maturation, including his father's mental collapse. Finally, Jasper finally makes a break from hisfather, as children must..

The story takes us to Paris and Thailand, both places of exile of sorts from Australia. Along the way, we are treated to an almost inexhaustible supply of funny, cogent, cynical observations on life. A sampler:

Loneliness: like the slow squeeze of testicles by a hand that has just been on a refrigerator

An Awakening: that's what an awakening is all about: getting up. There's no use having an awakening and then hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep.

Unrequited Love:There's nothing wonderful or interesting about unrequited love. I think it's shitty, just plain shitty. To love someone who doesn't return your affections might be exciting in books, but in life it's unbearably boring. I'll tell you what's exciting: sweaty, passionate nights. But sitting on the veranda outside the home of a sleeping woman who isn't dreaming about you is slow moving and just plain sad.

Religious Nuts:It isn't enough that they believe in God, They have to go all the way, seeing into his vast mind. They think faith gives them access to his glorious to-do lists

Pity: Pity is the awful lost dazed brother of empathy. Pity doesn't know what to do with itself so it just goes Awwwwwww.

Apartment Living: No symbolic journey can take place in an apartment.There's nothing metaphorical about a trip to the kitchen.

The Book Title: Emerson understood! "The moment we meet with anybody, each becomes a fraction,: he said. That's my problem. I'm 1/4 of who I should be.

Humanity: Humanity is the guy who shits in his own pants and then walks around saying, 'So, do you like my new shirt?'

Married Life: Honestly, i've never known how people do married life. I mean, when I go from the bedroom to the bathroom or the kitchen to the bathroom, the last thing I want to do is stop to have a chat.

in many ways, almost Pynchonesque in its fantastical profligacy, Toltz' novel will leave you exhausted and, if not quite satisfied, you will come away at least with a sense that the author did not cheat you as a reader. ( )

A Fraction of the Whole is a sort of family epic about Jasper Dean and his father Martin. It has a child in a coma, a criminal syndicate, a deadly fire, an insane girlfriend, a political campaign, a financial scandal, a home behind a labyrinth, an escape to Thailand, a perilous boat ride back to Australia, a mysterious face in a painting, and more. Whew!

Jasper is the main narrator, and he caught my interest immediately by revealing that he’s in prison and that the authorities will never find his father’s body. How could I not be hooked?

The story is filled with twists and turns, and to his credit, Toltz does not cheat as a storyteller. The surprises are revealed naturally, and although some twists were unexpected, I could always look back and see the clues that were planted along the way. It’s wonderful plotting.

And the characters are equally wonderful. I wouldn’t call them likable, but I did like reading about them. Martin, for example, is misanthropic and overthinks everything. I could fill this review with nothing but Martin’s thoughts and observations. They’re hilarious and often weirdly true.

I had a lot of fun with this book. It reads like light fiction but actually contains something to ponder underneath the levity. I’ll be eagerly looking forward to Toltz’s next book.

See my complete review at my blog ( )

I am simply blown away by the fact that this is Steve Toltz's first novel. This is one book where size doesn't matter: the 500 + pages literally flew in no time. I just started this the day before yesterday, and if silly things like sleep and family (not to mention preparing for a tropical storm) didn't get in the way, I'm sure I would have finished it yesterday.

I cannot, absolutely cannot do this book justice so I won't go into plot details, etc, but suffice it to say that this is undeniably one of the best books I have read this year. It is a nonstop ride that makes forays (in a most politically incorrect way (yay!) ) into pretty much all areas of life in one of the most creative sessions of writing I've ever experienced. It begins as a tale of good intentions gone very very badly, and then you're hooked because you absolutely must stay with it to find out how it's all going to end.

I predict only great things for this author. He looks at life from a fresh perspective and his writing is simply exquisite. I loved this book, and can very highly recommend it. I know I'm going to want to reread it at some point -- it's that good.

As an aside, the Booker judges are going to have their work cut out for them this year...kudos to them for putting it on the longlist. ( )

Read to page 70. Funny at parts but just too freakin' long for me at this point. I might pick it up again later.

Huge read! Not your normal family story. Jasper Read is the son of infamous father Martin Read, and uncle of criminal Terry Read. His childhood and family life are unusual and is chronicled in much detail. I found the story compelling even though I could not relate to the characters, nor did I want to. Need to set aside a lot to time to plow through this novel, not a light read at all. ( )

Our narrator is Jasper Dean, in his early twenties, and he tells the story of his upbringing and his family; which is in effect the story about himself, his father Martin and his father’s brother Terry. Not an ordinary family by any means and not a particularly happy family, but certainly a very interesting and endearing family.

Jasper admits right from the start that he is writing his account from prison, and initially one is not drawn to him, and it is a relief that he gives over the telling of the account to his father by means of Martin’s own writings recorded in is extensive journals; in fact the whole of the first volume of this three volume set is given over to is father’s first person telling of the families life, along with much of Martin’s philosophising. It is a story which starts in New South Wales, Australia, but which eventually takes us round the world, as with volumes two and three, we return to Jasper who takes us through the rest of the story with only the occasional return to Marin’s accounts.

Central to the story is the relationship between father and son, and Martin’s eccentric but well intentioned efforts at raising Jasper to be an individual. But to reveal anything of the plot will would be to spoil the amazing adventure, it is full of surprises and unexpected turns; but it is safe to say something of the nature of the story. It is a very funny story but at the same time a very moving story, it will have you laughing on one page and on the next close to tears. It is a remarkable, almost unbelievable story with many seemingly bizarre coincidences, yet it is thoroughly convincing. It is a story full of irony; and a story of love and family devotion and loyalty despite the family tensions.

But what makes this a truly outstanding story is the quality of the writing; the prose flows with such ease that the 700 plus pages should in no way be thought daunting. Steve Toltz has the ability to write not only prose which is effortless to read, but prose which is also immeasurably enjoyable, writing peppered with many very witty similes and metaphors; he will often lighten some of the more harrowing passages with such. His writing is also very perceptive of human nature, and it is this perceptiveness which makes the improbable believable.

A Fraction of the Whole is an extraordinary tale told in a most absorbing manner. The characters are thoroughly likeable despite their failings, including and especially (despite my initial reticence) Jasper. The conclusion is truly engrossing and moving; many novels have brought me close to tears, but at one stage Steve Toltz literally had tears of sorrow rolling down my cheeks. Yet he manages to end the tale on a positive note with a real sense of fulfilment and hope. ( )

I was expecting an obscure story, based upon the synopsis I had read, but I have to say after reading A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz my mind not only hopped aboard the train wreck called the Dean family's life, but I also soaked in the brilliant philosophical prose of this new writer.

I found myself reading passages again and again for fun, and laughing despite the unfortunate events in this novel. Steve Toltz brilliantly wove everyday humor and observations into the fabric of a bizarre, slightly possible story.

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. The writing style is fresh and unlike anything else I've ever read. I don't want to give away any of the spoilers, they are just too juicy, but I will tell you there is love, death, fire, suicide, crime, depression, self-hate, asylum, prison, three continents, booz, sex, nightclubs, bars, coming of age, rat poison, explosions, mazes, a foster home, books, and so much more. It's so juicy you'll want to read it twice! ( )